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Swansea and Bangor University Scientists Catch the Light with the SOS Africa Charity Children

23 Aug 2013

Over the next few weeks, scientists from the Universities of Swansea and Bangor will embark on an African adventure during which they will carry out “Catching the Light with the Rainbow Nation” workshops with children from SOS Africa and schools in Mafikeng and Durban.

The 25 workshops have been organised by long-term SOS Africa fundraiser Dr Matthew Davies and his colleagues Dr Peter Douglas, Dr Cecile Charbonneau, Dr Bruce Philip, Dr Khalil Khan, Carol Glover, Joel Troughton, Peter Greenwood, Rhys Charles, Ingrid Hallin, Dr Mike Garley, Prof Bice Martincigh, Dr Vincent Nyamori, Dr Bernard Owaga, Moses Ollengo and Tonderai Mombeshora. The initiatives are designed to increase the popularity and understanding of Chemistry across the two regions. These workshops will teach sunlight into electricity; the manufacture of dye sensitised solar cells from fruit and everyday materials; the wonderful world of colour chemistry, cyanotype photography; and light, the spectrum, and colour. It is expected that over 1000 children, aged 3-18, will take part in the workshops.

Matthew, who last year was selected to carry the Olympic Flame in Bangor for his commitment to fundraising and science, explains: “The aim of this outreach project is to engage with a large number of school children, and communities, across South Africa to increase the understanding and popularity of chemistry, and science in general. The project aims to have a significant impact on developing an interest and enthusiasm for chemistry within schools and communities in Mafikeng and Durban, South Africa.”

SOS Africa Director, Matt Crowcombe is thrilled that the SOS Africa children can be involved in this initiative: “We are very grateful to Matthew and his team of scientists from Swansea and Bangor Universities. They will receive a warm welcome from the SOS Africa children and the schools involved who eagerly await their arrival. Some of the younger children involved will have had little or no past involvement in science; we hope that this opportunity may inspire some of them to be South Africa’s leading scientists in the future.”

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